Hearing protection device, hearing protection system, and related method

ABSTRACT

A hearing protection system, a hearing protection device and related method, the hearing protection device comprising an earpiece device comprising a first connector, a first earpiece, and a second earpiece, the first earpiece comprising a first primary microphone and a first receiver wired to the first connector and the second earpiece comprising a second primary microphone and a second receiver wired to the first connector; and a processing device comprising a processor, an earpiece interface, and a wireless communication interface, wherein the processor is configured to receive a first microphone input signal from the first primary microphone; process the first microphone input signal for provision of a first primary output signal for the first receiver based on the first microphone input signal; receive a communication request from a communication device via the communication interface; and in response to receipt of the communication request, communicate with the communication device via the communication interface.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, European PatentApplication No. 18153247.4 filed on Jan. 24, 2018. The entire disclosureof the above application is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a hearing protection device, a hearingprotection system comprising a hearing protection device and acommunication device and related methods including a method of operatinga hearing protection device.

BACKGROUND

In combat and/or emergency situations, it may be desirable for a user toprotect his/her hearing while enabling the user to communicate withothers via radio communication. Further, there is a desire to reduce therisk of malfunction and/or increase the wearing comfort of a hearingprotection device for a user.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for hearing protection devices, hearingprotection systems and methods with improved wearing comfort for a userof the hearing protection device.

A hearing protection device is disclosed, the hearing protection devicecomprising an earpiece device comprising a first connector, a firstearpiece, and a second earpiece, the first earpiece comprising a firstprimary microphone and a first receiver wired to the first connector andthe second earpiece optionally comprising a second primary microphoneand/or a second receiver optionally wired to the first connector or asecond connector; and a processing device comprising a processor, anearpiece interface, and a wireless communication interface, wherein theprocessor is configured to receive a first microphone input signal fromthe first primary microphone; process the first microphone input signalfor provision of a first primary output signal for the first receiverbased on the first microphone input signal; receive a communicationrequest from a communication device via the communication interface; andin response to receipt of the communication request, communicate withthe communication device via the communication interface.

Also disclosed is a hearing protection system comprising a hearingprotection device as described herein and a communication deviceconfigured for wireless communication with the hearing protectiondevice.

Further, a method of operating a hearing protection device is disclosed,the hearing protection device comprising an earpiece device comprising afirst connector, a first earpiece, and a second earpiece, the firstearpiece comprising a first primary microphone and a first receiverwired to the first connector and the second earpiece optionallycomprising a second primary microphone and/or a second receiver wired tothe first connector; and a processing device comprising a processor, anearpiece interface, and a wireless communication interface, wherein themethod comprises receiving a first microphone input signal from thefirst primary microphone; processing the first microphone input signalfor provision of a first primary output signal for the first receiverbased on the first microphone input signal; receiving a communicationrequest from a communication device via the communication interface; andin response to receiving the communication request, communicating withthe communication device via the communication interface.

Also disclosed is a communication device of a hearing protection systemas described herein.

The present disclosure allows for improved wearing comfort for a user,by removing the need for a wired connection from the torso to the heador ears, in turn also reducing the risk of accidental removal of theearpieces, e.g. due to a tree branch catching the wire in a forestcombat situation.

The present disclosure provides a power efficient hearing protectiondevice with wireless communication.

A hearing protection device includes: an earpiece device comprising afirst connector, a first earpiece, and a second earpiece, the firstearpiece comprising a first primary microphone and a first receiverwired to the first connector, the second earpiece comprising a secondprimary microphone and a second receiver wired to the first connector;and a processing device comprising a processor, an earpiece interface,and a wireless communication interface; wherein the processor isconfigured to: receive a first microphone input signal from the firstprimary microphone; process the first microphone input signal forprovision of a first primary output signal for the first receiver basedon the first microphone input signal; receive a communication requestfrom a communication device via the communication interface; and inresponse to the communication request, communicate with thecommunication device via the communication interface.

Optionally, the processor is configured to process the first microphoneinput signal by performing hear-through processing of the firstmicrophone input signal.

Optionally, the processor comprises an impulse noise reduction module,and wherein the processor is configured to perform the hear-throughprocessing of the first microphone input signal by applying impulsenoise reduction to the first microphone input signal.

Optionally, the processor is configured to: receive a second microphoneinput signal from the second primary microphone; and process the secondmicrophone input signal for provision of a second primary output signalfor the second receiver based on the second microphone input signal.

Optionally, the processor is configured to process the second microphoneinput signal by performing hear-through processing of the secondmicrophone input signal.

Optionally, the processor comprises an impulse noise reduction module,and wherein the processor is configured to perform the hear-throughprocessing of the second microphone input signal by applying impulsenoise reduction to the second microphone input signal.

Optionally, the communication request comprises a transmission request,and wherein the processor is configured to communicate with thecommunication device by transmitting an audio stream to thecommunication device via the communication interface in response to thetransmission request.

Optionally, the communication request comprises a receive request, andwherein the processor is configured to communicate with thecommunication device by receiving an audio stream from the communicationdevice via the communication interface in response to the receiverequest.

Optionally, the processing device is configured for attachment to a headworn device and/or an upper back portion of a body equipment.

Optionally, the hearing protection device further includes a firstsecondary microphone configured for picking up own voice of a user ofthe hearing protection device.

Optionally, the first earpiece comprises a first protection element forsealing an ear canal.

A hearing protection system includes the hearing protection device, andthe communication device, wherein the communication device is configuredfor wireless communication with the hearing protection device.

Optionally, the communication device comprises a processor and aninterface.

Optionally, the interface comprises one or more buttons.

Optionally, the interface comprises a radio interface for communicationwith a radio unit, and a hearing protection device interface forwireless communication with the hearing protection device.

A method of operating a hearing protection device comprising an earpiecedevice having a first connector, a first earpiece, and a secondearpiece, the first earpiece comprising a first primary microphone and afirst receiver wired to the first connector, the second earpiececomprising a second primary microphone and a second receiver wired tothe first connector, wherein the hearing protection device furthercomprises a processing device comprising a processor, an earpieceinterface, and a wireless communication interface, the methodcomprising: receiving a first microphone input signal from the firstprimary microphone; processing the first microphone input signal forprovision of a first primary output signal for the first receiver basedon the first microphone input signal; receiving a communication requestfrom a communication device via the communication interface; and inresponse the communication request, communicating with the communicationdevice via the communication interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and advantages will become readily apparentto those skilled in the art by the following detailed description ofexemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary hearing protection systemaccording to the present disclosure,

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method according to thedisclosure, and

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary processor of the processingdevice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various exemplary embodiments and details are described hereinafter,with reference to the figures when relevant. It should be noted that thefigures may or may not be drawn to scale and that elements of similarstructures or functions are represented by like reference numeralsthroughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures areonly intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They arenot intended as an exhaustive description of the invention or as alimitation on the scope of the invention. In addition, an illustratedembodiment needs not have all the aspects or advantages shown. An aspector an advantage described in conjunction with a particular embodiment isnot necessarily limited to that embodiment and can be practiced in anyother embodiments even if not so illustrated, or if not so explicitlydescribed.

A hearing protection device is disclosed. The hearing protection systemcomprises a hearing protection device comprising a processing device andone or more earpieces including a first earpiece and/or a secondearpiece. The processing device is optionally wired to the firstearpiece and the second earpiece. The processing device may beconfigured for attachment to a head worn device, such as a helmet orother head protection device. The processing device may be configuredfor attachment to an upper back portion of a body equipment, such as aMolle vest. The processing device may be integrated in a helmet.

The hearing protection device comprises an earpiece device comprising afirst connector, a first earpiece, and a second earpiece. An earpiece,such as first earpiece and/or second earpiece, comprises an earpiecehousing. The earpiece housing may be configured for positioning in theear of a user, such as in the concha and/or in the ear canal. Theearpiece housing optionally comprises an ear canal portion and an outerear portion. The ear canal portion extends along an ear canal axis, theear canal portion having a first end. The first end of the ear canalportion points towards the eardrum of a user when the earpiece isinserted into the ear of a user. An ear canal opening may be arranged atthe first end of the ear canal portion. The ear canal opening allowssounds to exit/enter the earpiece housing. A plurality of ear canalopenings may be provided in the earpiece housing, e.g. to separatereceiver sound and secondary (e.g. ear canal) microphone sound. The earcanal opening(s) of the earpiece may each have a diameter in the rangefrom 0.5 mm to 3 mm. The same or different diameters may be applied fordifferent ear canal openings. The ear canal portion may have a length(measured along the ear canal axis) in the range from 2 mm to 20 mm. Inone or more exemplary earpieces, the ear canal portion has a length inthe range from 3 mm to 15 mm. Thereby, the ear canal wall of the usercan be used for fixating the earpiece in the ear canal and/or the earcanal can be sealed near the tympanic membrane on the inner surface ofthe ear canal. An earpiece is optionally configured as a hearingprotector. Thus, the first earpiece may comprise a first protectionelement for sealing an ear canal. The second earpiece may comprise asecond protection element for sealing an ear canal. A protectionelement, such as the first protection element and/or the secondprotection element, is configured for forming a seal between the earcanal wall and the ear canal portion of the earpiece (when inserted inthe ear canal of the user). The protection element, such as the firstprotection element and/or the second protection element, may be made ofor comprise foamed polymer. The protection element, such as the firstprotection element and/or the second protection element, may circumventthe ear canal portion. The protection element, such as the firstprotection element and/or the second protection element, may have alength (extension along the ear canal axis) of at least 2 mm, such as inthe range from 5 mm to 20 mm. The protection element may be made of orcomprise one or more of silicone gel, silicone foam, urethane gel, andurethane foam. The protection element may be made of or comprise one ormore of liquid, foam, and air.

The first earpiece comprises a first primary microphone and a firstreceiver wired to the first connector. The hearing protection device,such as the first earpiece, may comprise a first secondary microphoneconfigured for picking up own voice of a user of the hearing protectiondevice. For example, the first secondary microphone may be configured asa first ear canal microphone and/or arranged in the first earpiece. Anear canal microphone is configured for picking up sound in the ear canalof a user. In one or more exemplary hearing protection devices, thefirst secondary microphone is arranged at the distal end of a boom. Aproximal end of the boom may be attached to the first earpiece.

The second earpiece optionally comprises a second primary microphoneand/or a second receiver wired to the first connector. The hearingprotection device, such as the second earpiece, may comprise a secondsecondary microphone configured for picking up own voice of a user ofthe hearing protection device. For example, the second secondarymicrophone may be configured as a second ear canal microphone and/orarranged in the second earpiece. In one or more exemplary hearingprotection devices, the second secondary microphone is arranged at thedistal end of a boom. A proximal end of the boom may be attached to thesecond earpiece.

In the present disclosure, a primary microphone, such as the firstprimary microphone and/or the second primary microphone, is an externalmicrophone configured to pick up external or ambient sounds.

A receiver, such as the first receiver and/or the second receiver, formsan audio signal based on an output signal. The output signal for thereceiver may be a combination of one or more output signals, such as acombination or sum of a primary output signal and a secondary outputsignal.

The hearing protection device comprises a processing device comprising aprocessor, an earpiece interface, and a wireless communicationinterface. The earpiece interface comprises a connector for connectingthe earpiece device to the processing device. The communicationinterface may comprise an antenna and a wireless transceiver, e.g.configured for wireless communication at frequencies in the range from2.4 to 2.5 GHz. The communication interface may be configured forinductive coupling and communication with the communication device.

The hearing protection device is configured for wireless communicationwith the communication device. The hearing protection d inductioncommunitait inductive coupling

The processor of the processing device is configured to receive a firstmicrophone input signal from the first primary microphone and processthe first microphone input signal for provision of a first primaryoutput signal forming at least a part of a first output signal for thefirst receiver based on the first microphone input signal. To processthe first microphone input signal may comprise performing hear-throughprocessing of the first microphone input signal. The processor maycomprise an impulse noise reduction module. Performing hear-throughprocessing of the first microphone input signal may comprise applyingimpulse noise reduction to the first microphone input signal. Thus, thehearing protection device may enable a user to hear ambient sounds, atleast to a certain degree, e.g. allowing the user to hear other personsspeak or react on ambient sounds, while providing hearing protection.

The processor of the processing device may be configured to receive asecond microphone input signal from the second primary microphone andprocess the second microphone input signal for provision of a secondprimary output signal forming at least part of a second output signalfor the second receiver based on the second microphone input signal. Toprocess the second microphone input signal may comprise performinghear-through processing of the second microphone input signal.Performing hear-through processing of the second microphone input signalmay comprise applying impulse noise reduction to the second microphoneinput signal. Thus, the hearing protection device may enable a user tohear ambient sounds, at least to a certain degree, e.g. allowing theuser to hear other persons speak or react on ambient sounds, whileproviding hearing protection. A binaural hear-through processing maycontribute to preserving binaural cues, e.g. to allow the user to locatean audio source, e.g. from which direction an audio signal is received.

Performing hear-through processing of the first microphone input signalmay comprise applying noise reduction to the first microphone inputsignal. Performing hear-through processing of the second microphoneinput signal may comprise applying noise reduction to the secondmicrophone input signal.

The processor of the processing device is configured to receive acommunication request from a communication device via the communicationinterface, and in response to receipt of the communication request,communicate with the communication device via the communicationinterface. The processor of the processing device may be configured toreceive a communication end request from the communication device viathe communication interface, and in response to receipt of thecommunication end request, forgo to communicate with the communicationdevice via the communication interface.

To receive the communication request may comprise to receive atransmission request and wherein to communicate with the communicationdevice comprises transmitting an audio stream to the communicationdevice via the communication interface in response to receiving thetransmission request.

In one or more exemplary hearing protection devices, to communicate withthe communication device in response to receiving the transmissionrequest comprises to obtain a voice signal based on a first secondarymicrophone input signal from the first secondary microphone and/or basedon a second secondary microphone input signal from the second secondarymicrophone and providing the audio stream based on the voice signal.

To receive the communication end request from the communication devicevia the communication interface may comprise to receive a transmissionend request, and in response to receipt of the transmission end request,forgo transmitting the audio stream to the communication device.

To receive the communication request may comprise to receive a receiverequest and wherein to communicate with the communication device maycomprise receiving an audio stream from the communication device via thecommunication interface in response to receiving the receive request.

In one or more exemplary hearing protection devices, to communicate withthe communication device in response to receiving the receive requestcomprises to feed a first secondary output signal to the first receiverand/or a second secondary output signal to the second receiver based onthe received audio stream.

To receive the communication end request from the communication devicevia the communication interface may comprise to receive a receive endrequest, and in response to receipt of the receive end request, forgoreceiving the audio stream from the communication device.

The processor of the processing device may comprise a hear-throughprocessing module for hear-through processing of the first microphoneinput signal and the second microphone input signal. The hear-throughprocessing module may apply noise reduction, such as impulse noisereduction, to the first microphone input signal and outputs firstprimary output signal based on the first microphone input signal. Thefirst primary output signal may be based on the first secondarymicrophone input signal. The hear-through processing module may applynoise reduction, such as impulse noise reduction, to the secondmicrophone input signal and outputs second primary output signal basedon at least the second microphone input signal. The second primaryoutput signal may be based on the second secondary microphone inputsignal. The processor of the processing device may comprise an audiomodule. The audio module may comprise a voice module configured to forma voice signal based on one or more microphone input signals, such asthe first secondary microphone input signal and/or the second secondarymicrophone input signal. The voice signal may be based on the firstmicrophone input signal and/or the second microphone input signal. Thevoice signal may be based on the first output signal and/or the secondoutput signal. The audio module may output the voice signal as audiooutput signal, e.g. in response to receipt of transmission request fromcommunication device. The audio module may receive audio input signalfrom the communication interface. The audio module may be configured toform first secondary output signal and/or second secondary output signalbased on the audio input signal. The processor of the processing devicemay comprise a mixing module configured to form first output signalbased on first primary output signal and first secondary output signal.The mixing module may be configured to form second output signal basedon second primary output signal and second secondary output signal. Thefirst output signal may be a sum, such as a weighted sum, of the firstprimary output signal and the first secondary output signal. The secondoutput signal may be a sum, such as a weighted sum, of the secondprimary output signal and the second secondary output signal.

The disclosed hearing protection system comprises a hearing protectiondevice and a communication device configured for wireless communicationwith the hearing protection device. The communication device comprises aprocessor and an interface. The interface of the communication devicecomprises a user interface including one or more buttons, such as afirst button; a radio interface for communication with a radio unit; anda hearing protection device interface for wireless communication withthe hearing protection device. The first button may be configured as apush-to-talk button. The hearing protection device interface maycomprise an antenna and a wireless transceiver, e.g. configured forwireless communication at frequencies in the range from 2.4 to 2.5 GHz.The hearing protection device interface may be configured for inductivecoupling and communication with the hearing protection device.

The processor of the communication device may be configured to receive auser input indicative of own voice pickup and transmission via the userinterface, e.g. by a user pressing and holding the first button; inresponse to the user input indicative of own voice pickup andtransmission, transmitting a transmission request to the hearingprotection device via the hearing protection device interface; receivingan audio stream from the hearing protection device, and outputting theaudio stream via the radio interface. Outputting the audio stream viathe radio interface may comprise outputting a push-to-talk controlsignal via the radio interface. The processor of the communicationdevice may be configured to transmit a transmission end request, e.g.upon detection of user release of the first button.

The processor of the communication device may be configured to receive acontrol signal indicative of audio receipt via the radio interface; inresponse to the control signal indicative of audio receipt, transmittinga receive request to the hearing protection device via the hearingprotection device interface; receiving an audio stream via the radiointerface, and transmitting the audio stream to the hearing protectiondevice via the hearing protection device interface. The processor of thecommunication device may be configured to detect absence of audio sentfrom the radio unit and in response to a detection of absence of audiosent from the radio unit, transmitting a receive end request to thehearing protection device via the hearing protection device interface.

The processor of the communication device may be configured to detectpresence of an audio signal from the radio unit; in response todetecting an audio signal from the radio unit, transmitting a receiverequest to the hearing protection device via the hearing protectiondevice interface; receiving an audio stream via the radio interface, andtransmitting the audio stream to the hearing protection device via thehearing protection device interface.

The present disclosure relates to a method of operating a hearingprotection device. In the method, receiving the communication requestmay comprise receiving a transmission request, and communicating withthe communication device via the communication interface may comprisetransmitting an audio stream in response to receiving the transmissionrequest.

In the method, receiving the communication request may comprisereceiving a receive request and communicating with the communicationdevice via the communication interface may comprise receiving an audiostream from the communication device in response to receiving thereceive request.

The method or at least parts thereof may be performed by a hearingprotection system as disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary hearing protection system. The hearingprotection system 2 comprises a hearing protection device 4 and acommunication device 6. The hearing protection device 4 comprises anearpiece device 8 comprising a first connector 10, a first earpiece 12,and a second earpiece 14, the first earpiece 12 comprising a firstprimary microphone 16 and a first receiver 18, both/each wired to thefirst connector 10. The second earpiece 14 comprises a second primarymicrophone 20 and a second receiver 22, both/each wired to the firstconnector 10 or a second connector. The hearing protection device 4comprises a processing device 24 comprising a processor 26 such as acentral processing unit (CPU) or a digital signal processor (DSP), anearpiece interface 28, and a wireless communication interface 30comprising an antenna 30A and a transceiver 30B. The earpiece interface28 comprises a first connector for forming a mechanical and electricalconnection with the first connector of the earpiece device 8. Theearpiece interface 28 may comprise a second connector for forming amechanical and electrical connection with a second connector (not shown)of the earpiece device 8. The processor 26 is configured to receive afirst microphone input signal 16A from the first primary microphone 16;process the first microphone input signal 16A including noise reduction,such as impulse noise reduction, for provision of a first primary outputsignal forming at least part of first output signal 18A for the firstreceiver 18 based on the first microphone input signal 16A; receive acommunication request 32 from the communication device 6 via thecommunication interface 30; and in response to receipt of thecommunication request 32, communicate with the communication device 6via the communication interface 30. Optionally, the processor 26 isconfigured to receive a second microphone input signal 20A from thesecond primary microphone 20; process the second microphone input signal20A including noise reduction, such as impulse noise reduction, forprovision of a second primary output signal forming at least part ofsecond output signal 22A for the second receiver 22 based on the secondmicrophone input signal 20A.

The communication device 6 comprises a processor 34 and an interfacecomprising a user interface 36 including one or more buttons, such as afirst button 38; a radio interface 40 for connecting to andcommunicating with a radio unit 42 via connector cable 43; and a hearingprotection device interface 44 for wireless communication with thehearing protection device 4.

The first earpiece 12 comprises a first secondary microphone 50configured as a first ear canal microphone for picking up own voice of auser of the hearing protection device. A first secondary microphoneinput signal 50A from the first secondary microphone 50 is fed toprocessor 26 via earpiece interface 28. The second earpiece 14optionally comprises a second secondary microphone 52 configured as asecond ear canal microphone for picking up own voice of a user of thehearing protection device. A second secondary microphone input signal52A from the second secondary microphone 52 is fed to processor 26 viaearpiece interface 28.

The communication request 32 from the communication device 6 maycomprise a transmission request 32A. The processor 26 is configured to,in response to receiving the transmission request 32A, obtain a voicesignal, e.g. based on the first secondary microphone input signal 50Aand/or the second secondary microphone input signal 52A, and provide anaudio output signal 53 transmitted as an audio stream 54 based on thevoice signal to the communication device 6 via the communicationinterface 30.

The communication request 32 from the communication device 6 maycomprise a receive request 32B. The processor 26 is configured to, inresponse to receiving the receive request 32B, receiving an audio stream56 from the communication device 6 via the communication interface 30.The audio stream 56 is converted to an audio input signal 58, and theprocessor 26 is configured to form first output signal 18A for the firstreceiver 18 and/or second output signal 22A for the second receiverbased on the audio input signal 58 and/or microphone input signals 16A,20A.

Turning to the communication device 6, the first button 38 may beconfigured as a push-to-talk button. In response to the useractivating/pressing the first button 38, i.e. a user input indicative ofown voice pickup and transmission, the communication device 6 transmitsa transmission request 32A to the hearing protection device 4 via thehearing protection device interface 44; receives audio stream 54 fromthe hearing protection device (processing device 24), and outputs theaudio stream via the radio interface 40 to the radio unit 42, whereinoutputting the audio stream via the radio interface comprises outputtinga push-to-talk control signal. When the user releases the first button,the processor 34 of the communication device may be configured totransmit a transmission end request to the hearing protection device.

Further, the processor 34 of the communication device may be configuredto receive a control signal indicative of audio receipt via the radiointerface 40; in response to the control signal indicative of audioreceipt, transmitting a receive request 32B to the hearing protectiondevice via the hearing protection device interface 44; receiving anaudio stream via the radio interface, and transmitting the audio stream56 to the hearing protection device via the hearing protection deviceinterface 44. The processor of the communication device 6 may beconfigured to detect absence of audio sent from the radio unit 42 and inresponse to a detection of absence of audio sent from the radio unit,transmitting a receive end request to the hearing protection device viathe hearing protection device interface.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of operating a hearingprotection device comprising an earpiece device comprising a firstconnector, a first earpiece, and a second earpiece, the first earpiececomprising a first primary microphone and a first receiver wired to thefirst connector and the second earpiece comprising a second primarymicrophone and a second receiver wired to the first connector; and aprocessing device comprising a processor, an earpiece interface, and awireless communication interface. The method 100 comprises

receiving 102 a first microphone input signal from the first primarymicrophone;

processing 104 the first microphone input signal for provision of afirst primary output signal for the first receiver based on the firstmicrophone input signal;

receiving 106 a communication request from a communication device viathe communication interface; and in response to receiving thecommunication request, communicating 108 with the communication device,i.e. receiving 108A and/or transmitting 108B audio streams from/to thecommunication device 6, via the communication interface.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a processor of the hearingprotection device. The processor 26 comprises hear-through processingmodule 60 for hear-through processing of the first microphone inputsignal 16A and the second microphone input signal 20A. The hear-throughprocessing module 60 applies noise reduction, such as impulse noisereduction, to the first microphone input signal 16A and outputs firstprimary output signal 18B based on the first microphone input signal16A. The first primary output signal 18B may be based on the firstsecondary microphone input signal 50A. The hear-through processingmodule 60 applies noise reduction, such as impulse noise reduction, tothe second microphone input signal 20A and outputs second primary outputsignal 22B based on at least the second microphone input signal 20A. Thesecond primary output signal 22B may be based on the second secondarymicrophone input signal 52A. The processor 26 comprises an audio module62. The audio module 62 comprises a voice module configured to form avoice signal based on the first secondary microphone input signal 50Aand/or the second secondary microphone input signal 52A. The voicesignal may be based on the first microphone input signal 16A and/or thesecond microphone input signal 20A (not shown). The voice signal may bebased on the first output signal 18A and/or the second output signal 22A(not shown). The audio module 62 outputs the voice signal as audiooutput signal 53, e.g. in response to receipt of transmission requestfrom communication device 6. The audio module 62 receives audio inputsignal 58 from the communication interface 30. The audio module 62 formsfirst secondary output signal 18C and second secondary output signal 22Cbased on the audio input signal 58. The processor 26 comprises a mixingmodule 64 configured to form first output signal 18A based on firstprimary output signal 18B and first secondary output signal 18C. Themixing module 64 is configured to form second output signal 22A based onsecond primary output signal 22B and second secondary output signal 22C.The first output signal 18A may be a sum, such as a weighted sum, of thefirst primary output signal 18B and the first secondary output signal18C. The second output signal 22A may be a sum, such as a weighted sum,of the second primary output signal 22B and the second secondary outputsignal 22C.

LIST OF REFERENCES

-   -   2 hearing protection system    -   4 hearing protection device    -   6 communication device    -   8 earpiece device    -   10 first connector 10    -   12 first earpiece    -   14 second earpiece    -   16 first primary microphone    -   16A first microphone input signal    -   18 first receiver    -   18A first output signal    -   18B first primary output signal    -   18C first secondary output signal    -   20 second primary microphone    -   20A second microphone input signal    -   22 second receiver    -   22A second output signal    -   22B second primary output signal    -   22C second secondary output signal    -   24 processing device    -   26 processor    -   28 earpiece interface    -   30 wireless communication interface    -   30A antenna    -   30B transceiver    -   32 communication request    -   32A transmission request    -   32B receive request    -   34 processor    -   36 user interface    -   38 first button    -   40 radio interface    -   42 radio unit    -   43 connector cable    -   44 hearing protection device interface    -   44A antenna    -   44B transceiver    -   50 first secondary microphone    -   50A first secondary microphone input signal    -   52 second secondary microphone    -   52A second secondary microphone input signal    -   53 audio output signal    -   54 audio stream transmitted from processing device    -   56 audio stream from the communication device    -   58 audio input signal    -   60 hear-through processing module    -   62 audio module    -   64 mixing module    -   100 method of operating a hearing protection device    -   102 receiving a first microphone input signal from the first        primary microphone    -   104 processing the first microphone input signal    -   106 receiving a communication request from a communication        device    -   108 communicating with the communication device    -   108A receiving audio stream from the communication device    -   108B transmitting audio stream to the communication device

The invention claimed is:
 1. A hearing protection device comprising: anearpiece device comprising a first connector, a first earpiece for wearby a user, and a second earpiece for wear by the user, the firstearpiece comprising a first primary microphone and a first receiverwired to the first connector, the second earpiece comprising a secondprimary microphone and a second receiver wired to the first connector orto a second connector; and a processing device comprising a processor,an earpiece interface, and a wireless communication interface, whereinthe processing device is configured for placement at a head-worn deviceor at a back of a body-gear; wherein the processor is configured to:receive a first microphone input signal from the first primarymicrophone; process the first microphone input signal for provision of afirst primary output signal for the first receiver based on the firstmicrophone input signal; and receive a communication request from acommunication device of the user via the wireless communicationinterface; and wherein the processing device is configured tocommunicate with the communication device via the wireless communicationinterface after receiving the communication request; and wherein thehearing protection device also comprises a first secondary microphoneconfigured to pick up a voice of the user of the hearing protectiondevice, and to provide a first microphone output, and wherein thewireless communication interface is configured to transmit an audiostream based on the first microphone output for reception by thecommunication device.
 2. The hearing protection device according toclaim 1, wherein the processor is configured to apply an impulse noisereduction to the first microphone input signal to perform hear-throughprocessing of the first microphone input signal.
 3. The hearingprotection device according to claim 2, wherein the processor comprisesan impulse noise reduction module configured to apply the impulse noisereduction to the first microphone input signal.
 4. The hearingprotection device according to claim 1, wherein the processor isconfigured to: receive a second microphone input signal from the secondprimary microphone; and process the second microphone input signal forprovision of a second primary output signal for the second receiverbased on the second microphone input signal.
 5. The hearing protectiondevice according to claim 4, wherein the processor is configured toprocess the second microphone input signal by performing hear-throughprocessing of the second microphone input signal.
 6. The hearingprotection device according to claim 5, wherein the processor isconfigured to perform the hear-through processing of the secondmicrophone input signal by applying impulse noise reduction to thesecond microphone input signal.
 7. The hearing protection deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the communication request comprises atransmission request requesting the hearing protection device to performsignal transmission to the communication device via the wirelesscommunication interface.
 8. The hearing protection device according toclaim 1, wherein the communication request comprises a receive requestrequesting the hearing protection device to perform signal receptionfrom the communication device via the wireless communication interface.9. The hearing protection device according to claim 1, wherein the firstearpiece comprises a first protection element for sealing an ear canal.10. A hearing protection system comprising the hearing protection deviceaccording to claim 1, and the communication device, wherein thecommunication device is configured for wireless communication with thehearing protection device.
 11. The hearing protection system accordingto claim 10, wherein the communication device comprises an interface.12. The hearing protection system according to claim 11, wherein theinterface of the communication device comprises one or more buttons. 13.The hearing protection system according to claim 11, wherein theinterface of the communication device comprises a radio interface forcommunication with a radio unit, and a hearing protection deviceinterface for wireless communication with the hearing protection device.14. The hearing protection device according to claim 1, furthercomprising a second secondary microphone, wherein the first secondarymicrophone is a part of the first earpiece, and the second secondarymicrophone is a part of the second earpiece.
 15. The hearing protectiondevice according to claim 1, wherein the processing device is configuredto communicate audio data with the communication device.
 16. The hearingprotection device according to claim 1, wherein the processor isconfigured to process the first microphone input signal by applyingimpulse noise reduction to the first microphone input signal.
 17. Thehearing protection device according to claim 1, wherein thecommunication request is provisioned by the communication device of theuser in response to the user operating the communication device.
 18. Thehearing protection device according to claim 17, wherein thecommunication request is provisioned by a pressing of a user control atthe communication device.
 19. The hearing protection device according toclaim 17, wherein the wireless communication interface is configured totransmit the audio stream based on the first microphone output providedby the first secondary microphone in response to the communicationrequest.
 20. The hearing protection device according to claim 1, whereinthe communication request is provisioned by the communication device ofthe user in response to the communication device obtaining communicationdata.
 21. The hearing protection device according to claim 20, whereinthe communication request is configured to cause the wirelesscommunication interface to receive audio data wirelessly from thecommunication device of the user.
 22. The hearing protection deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the head-worn device comprises a helmet,and the processing device is configured for attachment to the helmet.